MAKE A PLAN FOLLOWING THE ABOVE STEPS (STEPS FOLLOWED IN

PLANNING) FOR MY DECISION TO TAKE THE MBA COURSE.

INTRODUCTION.

A decision can be defined be defined s any conscious choice of an undertaking. Decision – making
therefore involves the selection from among alternative courses of action. It is a process of selecting
and evaluating alternatives and making choices amongst them.

Planning is the process of selecting those activities that will be carried out and prioritizing them so as
to achieve the targeted results. It involves the formulation the objectives t be achieved and the
methods through which they will be achieved. This planning concept is idealized in a plan.

The activities involved in planning are:

 Setting the objectives
 Deciding on the means by which the objectives are achieved.
 Arranging the activities in order of priority
 Deciding on the resources to be allocated to facilitate the achievement of the set objectives.
 Deciding on who will perform the various activities.

Below is an outline of my following my decision t take an MBA degree at Egerton University – Kisii
University College.

SWOT ANALYSIS
a. STREGTTHS

i) Educational qualifications: Having attained my first undergraduate degree (2nd Class

Honors- Upper Division), I have the foundation knowledge upon which to build my MBA
studies. Also having undertaken a professional course with KASNEB on Certified
Information Communication Technology (CICT-Professional). I have the necessary
academic requirements to specialize in Management Information Systems.

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 ii) Management potential.
Over the years, I have had the chance to serve in various management / leadership positions
from which I have acquired the impetus to acquire more advanced management skills by
undertaking the MBA programme, so as to be ready for further management positions.

iii) Financial status.

As an employee of the TSC, I have the ability to raise the required funds for my MBA fees
and other charges. My loan ability status is also sound hence I can be able to acquire
financial loan facilities from bodies like HELB and commercial banks.

iv) The location of the Kisii University College.

The College is the only one in the South Nyanza Region which offers the MBA
programme. It is location near my home and my work station. This makes it convenient for
me to attend work and then classes in the evening.

v) The desire for career advancement or career change. As an employee of the TSC, I would
first and foremost like to advance and be one of policy makers so as to contribute more to
the Kenyan Society. So that desire to advance in my career is the driving force for my
decision to take the MBA programme. Also, I would spire to change my career and join the
corporate world which is better paying than the TSC. I also desire to have in the future my
own business empire of which the MBA knowledge and skills will be very vital.

b. Opportunities
i) Overtime, the corporate / business sector has been expanding rapidly owing to introduction
of ICT. It is imperative to note that ICT is the engine of modern economic activities. Kenya
hopes that ICT will revolutionalize Kenya into a middle income country by 2030. This will
depend on knowledge, information and communication. As the role of ICT continues to
increase, so will be the need for Information Systems Managers. Taking the MBA at Kisii
University College and by specializing in Management Information Systems will assist me
acquire relevant analytical skills and competencies in the management of information

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 systems and offering the necessary business solutions. There have been expansions of
employment opportunities, competitiveness and general growth in sectors that have
embraced ICT. This offers me a chance to acquire a management role in some corporation
after the completion of the MBA programme
ii) Universities have been expanding at a very fast rate thus the need for more trained
personnel to re-energize their labour force. This offers teaching opportunities thus the need
to take the MBA programme to ready myself for such position.
iii) The existence of many mismanaged corporations has increased the demand for middle
level and top level managers as the government strives to revive them. This offers an
indicator that MBA graduates’ demand will increase with time. There is also the increased
tendency of most companies as a cost cutting measure to hire already trained personnel
rather than allocate funds to personnel training. This makes MBA a pre-requisite step
towards acquiring a management position.

c. Threats
The high numbers of MBA students graduating from the various universities has overtime
saturated the job market for MBA graduates since their supply is more than the demand. This
has been aggravated by some companies training and promoting their staff, thus leaving little
room for the MBA graduates.

The Teacher’s Service Commission has overtime not recognized the role MBA can play in the
management of its various departments and schools. Teachers’ who graduate with MBA
degrees seldom secure any promotions despite its significance in management. This means that
there are very grim chances of securing a management role after the completion of my MBA
under my current employer. This will require quitting my current job and starting to look for a
job in an environment where the MBA knowledge and skills will be relevant.

The University’s policy on fees payment i.e. the university lays stress on 100% fees payment
thus threatening continuity incase the unforeseen eventualities occur that may make it
imperative for one not to clear the fees on time.

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The university’s policy on exams. The university emphasizes that one must score at least 50%
in every subject taken and an average of 60% to proceed from 1st year to 2nd year or to satisfy
university for the award of the MBA degree is a Herculean task. This coupled with the many
tasks that we have to carry out both at our work places and homes sets the bar too high. This
creates uncertainty regarding the completion of the programme.

Apportioning time between work and studies. Being a mathematics teacher requires of me total
dedication in preparation, provision of remedial classes, evaluation, and e.t.c. balancing
between my teaching careers, attending my MBA evening classes, doing assignments, e.t.c. can
easily cause me to tire and the risk of compromising some parts of duties. Compromising my
studies for work will mean failing while compromising my work duties will mean loosing the
job. Therefore striking a balance between all these is a big challenge.

The time for classes, even though convenient is at times risky in relation to security. At time
traveling to my place of residence past 9pm is insecure. This is at times jeopardizes my social
family life since meaningful interactions are reduced. This is not healthy for my young family.

My employer, the TSC, has been adamant in giving study leaves to MBA students. More so to
those who do not specialize in accounting option. Since my area of interest is Management
Information Systems, I according to TSC regulations do not qualify for a study leave. I
therefore have to grapple with the junk of responsibilities from both work and MBA classes.
This threatens my effectiveness.

At my work place, performance is measured in terms of how best we carry out our
responsibilities as stated or implied in the job descriptions and much more on individual input
into the job and the outcomes / results achieved. This requires a lot of effort and devotion thus
threatening my concentration on the MBA programme.

The emphasis on lecture method as the conventional mode of teaching at the university, even
though useful in delivery of factual information, does not augur well with the area of
specialization I am interested in (Management Information Systems), which requires a

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 practical orientation. Therefore lecture method of learning will reduce the time of meaningful
participation hence little acquisition of necessary skills.

The University has a tendency of insisting on at least ten students for them to offer a particular
specialization option. This has more often than not frustrated many students whose aspirations
end up being curtailed. Due to the fact that Kisii University has not had students specializing in
Management Information Systems, I am afraid that my aspirations will not be catered for
despite the assurance we received before joining the University.

d. Weaknesses.
Poor stress management abilities. The rigors one has to undergo in trying to balance between
family, work and MBA studies can be a serious cause of stress. This requires strong stress
management skills which I lack. Coping with the stress can be a major letdown as i strive to
successively obtain the MBA degree. Also the need to exert maximum energy in this process
may dissipate pain of fatigue.

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OBJECTIVES
• Acquire adequate management skills by the end of the two years MBA course to enable me
acquire a management position in the corporate sector.
• Attain a good MBA degree with a GPA of at least 70% by the end of the two years of
coursework, examinations and project / thesis.
• Attend all the 3hours lecture sessions 6 days a week for 45 weeks.
• Do all assignments and examinations and in each score at least 60% so as to meet the
university policy of an average pass mark of 60%.
• Upon the completion of the two year MBA course I should be able to Manage an ICT
department effectively and provide leadership to all processes geared towards corporate
competitiveness and sustainability

PREMISES
Premises are the assumptions about the environment in which the plan is to be carried out. My plan to
take MBA and specializing in Management Information Systems is anchored in the following
premises.

Development of any country today is dependent on accessibility to knowledge, information and

communication. This explains why the Kenyan government has of recent shifted focus onto
investment in ICT infrastructure and appropriate technology, both critical in the establishment of a
digital society with the ultimate goal of embracing ICT to facilitate economic development and secure
a solid future for many Kenyans. The governments has set up policies for transforming Kenya into an
ICT hub and make it a globally competitive middle-income economy. ICT will be a major contributor
to this dreamt growth. The ICT sector holds immense opportunities in such sectors such as
outsourcing, call centers, software development, and e.t.c. This sounds lots of management
opportunities that awaits those who with adequate ICT management skills. Therefore my decision to
take up an MBA and Supplement it with the CICT professional qualification is anchored on the above
stated opportunities. I therefore presume that I will be able to acquire a chance in the management of
ICT industry.

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Of late the subsidiary departments of the Ministry of Education such as KIE have been recruiting
MBA graduates to fill various vacancies. Also due to interest to implement ICT in the management of
education system, I presume that by taking the MBA course I stand a better chance in terms of job
mobility.

Other assumptions include:

• That I will be able to meet the costs of undertaking the MBA programme in terms of fees and
other expenses.
• I will be able to adjust my programmes so as to accommodate the lecture hours, doing
assignments and attending to my work
• The university has got enough manpower i.e. lecturers and has well planned programmes that
will facilitate efficient acquisition of the relevant knowledge and skills and that I will be
allowed to specialize in Management Information Systems.

COOURSES OF ACTION
In order to achieve the above stated objectives, I will have to pursue a number of courses of actions all
which will contribute to the achievement of my MBA degree. These include:
a) Attending Lectures / talks. I.e. attending to the normal university lectures as scheduled.
b) Group discussions.
c) Role playing exercises
d) Skills development exercises
e) Supplement in-company training
f) Consultants / other training institutions
g) Guided Action learning. Involves engaging the services of a guide or mentor.
h) Attachment / secondment to companies for practical lessons
i) Persona study programmes.
j) Workshops. Practical exercises in which participants work on a particular work-based problem
as a group.

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EVALUATION OF THE COURSES OF ACTION
The table below gives a summary of the various evaluations of the various courses of action.
COURSE OF ACTION
LECTURE// TALKS
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Role playing exercises
Skills development exercises
SALIENT POSITIVE LIMITATIONS
FEATURES
• Useful for factual • It is a one-way emphasis and
information and leads to the therefore calls for little
command for facts. participation.
• Leads to a comprehensive • No practical work
coverage of theory which • Offers off-the-job training.
forms a basis for practice.
• Useful in generating • Requires adequate
ideas and solutions. leadership
• Through groups • May be time consuming.
members contribute their
own talent and provide
models of behavior they
are all beneficiaries of.
• Proactivity
• Leads to emotional
resilience
• Leads to the
development of social
skills and abilities
• Initiates creativity
• Leads to the
development of
leadership skills.
• Promotes team building
skills
• If roles are genuine, they • Requires careful organizing
help in the development
of skills and insights • Giving tactful feedback Is
• Increases sensitivity to difficult.
events
• Offers a safe way to • Careful organizing required.
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 practice key skills.
• On-job training
• Enhances the command
of basic facts and skills.
Supplement in-company • Enhances acquisition of • There are few such
relevant professional
training knowledge and skills.
companies within Kisii
• Helpful n developing
analytical, problem
solving and judgement
making skills
• Offers on-the-job
training
• Improves creativity.
Workshops • Provides opportunities to • May be costly
share ideas on real day –to-
day management problems
and approaches to solving
them
Consultancy / other • Clients’ needs are given • May rely heavily on

training organizations. high priorities packages

• Fills the gaps in college
E.g KIM, other
provision as a wide range of
universities
teaching methods are used.
Guided Action learning • Increases knowledge and
skills
• Involves discovery learning
with support
• Improves collaboration
• It will be repetitive and time
consuming.
• There is over-reliance on
guidance from mentors or
guides.
• Finding suitable mentors ad
guides is not easy.

• Good feedback is obtained

Attachment / secondment • Increases management • Can be a source of

to companies for practical experience. frustration / stress incase one

• Arouses new interests doesn’t succeed.
lessons.
• Enhances the acquision of
new management habits and
skills.
Personal study • Enhance speedy coverage • Requires careful planning.

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programmes of syllabus and the
internalization of learnt
concepts
• It supplements lectures
• Conducive for research
related works.

SELECTING A COURSE OF ACTION AND THEIR DERIVATIVE PLANS

After the analysis of the various courses of action, the following have been selected as the most
appropriate in achieving my objectives underlying my decision to take an MBA degree. They take into
considerations all the other pressures. Underneath are thee various activities for each selected course
of action.

a) PERSONAL STUDY PROGRAMMES

Conducting personal study programmes is very vital in the attainment of the MBA Degree. To
achieve this, I will undertake the following Plans:
• Enrollment as a library member of the KIM Kisii Branch Library. This will provide a
conducive environment for private studies. It will also enable me access reading
materials like textbooks, journals, e.t.c.
• Purchasing the relevant reading materials. This will be very necessary in the
comprehensive content coverage and doing assignments.
• Timetabling my activities. This will act as a guide on personal studies. i.e. it will
facilitate planned / organized learning hence maximum and efficient utilization of time.

b) PARTICIPATING IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS

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 In a group, new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured and People continually learn
how to learn together. The following activities will be undertaken to achieve successful group
learning:
• Timetabling the group discussion sessions.
• Choice of a group leader to co-ordinate the group activities
• Acquisition of relevant discussion problems. The sources of such problems will be past
papers, class assignments and projects
• Assigning members areas to research on and make presentations

c) Lectures / Talks / workshops

• Attending all lectures
• Copying notes
• Participating in class discussions
• Consultations with the lecturers for guidance on complex areas
• Attending at least one business management talk or workshops each academic semester.

d) Skills development exercises.

• Seeking more responsibilities at my workplace which have a management bias. This
will enable me practice the learnt management knowledge and skills.
• Participating in voluntary management activities

e) Guided – Action Learning.

• Choice of Mentor or guide with knowledge on Management.
• Fixing the consultation time

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BUDGETING
The following is the budget for my plans for the two years MBA course.

FEES TEXTBOOKS OTHER LIBRARY TRAVEL MISC. TOTAL

YEAR SEMESTE PHOTOCOPY STATIONARY EXPENSES
R

1 ONE 70700 8500 30600 3000 5400 1000 119200

TWO 50500 8500 1650 - 5400 1000 67050
SUB-TOTAL 121200 17000 32250 3000 10400 2000 186250
2 ONE 66000 8500 1650 3000 6000 1000 86150
TWO 50000 6000 3350 - 14000 2000 75350
SUB-TOTAL 116000 14500 5000 3000 20000 3000 161500
GRAND-
TOTAL 237200 31500 37250 6000 30400 5000 347750

REFERENCES
 COLE GERALD. MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE- 6TH
EDITION, THOMPSON LEARNING PUBLISHEERS, 2004

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